Reps. Fitzpatrick, Wild Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Safeguard Children's Health Insurance Through COVID-19 Pandemic

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 -- Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release:

U.S. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Susan Wild (PA-07) re-introduced the bipartisan Children's Health Insurance Program Pandemic Enhancement and Relief (CHIPPER) Act to increase support for State Children's Health Insurance programs during the COVID-19 emergency. Federal funding for the program decreased last October.

"As the people of our nation continue to navigate through this unprecedented chapter, struggling families and children depend on CHIP for critical medical care, now, more than ever. The CHIPPER Act will help provide much-needed coverage for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Rep. Fitzpatrick. "The children of our great nation are our future, and it is our duty to ensure that they have access to the care they need throughout this pandemic and its aftermath."

"Ensuring that kids have access to comprehensive health insurance is critically important, especially during a pandemic that has created incredible stress and uncertainty for families," Wild said. "I am proud of this legislation that puts our communities first."

In 2018, Congress increased the CHIP Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) by 11.5 percent. This increase expired at the end of the last fiscal year, meaning that support for CHIP declined at the same time states are struggling against a public health emergency.

The CHIPPER Act calls for support of CHIP through the safeguarding of the program's FMAP for states in a way that is consistent with Medicaid FMAP standards under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. This legislation, which supports and strengthens CHIP's FMAP for states, will help ensure critical access to health insurance that provides comprehensive coverage for children, including coverage for vaccines and mental health services. Additionally, it includes retroactive funding for the measures to cover the gap in federal funding during the lapse in the program and extends funding through September 2022. 81 members of Congress cosponsored this legislation last Congress, and we expect even more this Congress.

National Endorsements

American Academy of Pediatrics

Children's Hospital Association

Families USA

First Focus Campaign for Children

KidsPeace

State Endorsements

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Geisinger Janet Weis Children's Hospital

Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital

Pennsylvania CHIP

St. Luke's University Health Network